In the spotlight: Leo Kruijt, researcher at the department of Animal Sciences

Last time, Esther Ellen shared a bit about her background and her work for ABG. This time we ask Leo Kruijt, researcher at the Department of Animal Sciences (ASG), about his work and research activities. (And his hobbies, of course.)

Hello Leo, could you perhaps introduce yourself and share a
bit about your position at ASG and the work you do for ABG?

My name is Leo Kruijt, and I work as a HBO researcher/Technician at Wageningen University & Research (WUR). I started in Zeist, then in Lelystad and Wageningen. My work mainly involves work in the genomics, proteomics and cell culture laboratories.

When and how did you start at ABG? And where did you work before you came to WUR?

In 1983 I started as a trainee for a HBO-B laboratory course at the Institute for Animal Husbandry ‘Schoonoord’ in Zeist. Immediately after my traineeship my supervisor offered me a job. First in the reproduction department, later in the animal breeding department.

I'm curious, what sparked your interest in genetics and/or animal breeding? Or animal sciences in general?

I was fascinated by how we can analyse genes, proteins, metabolites and culture cells from animals to create knowledge that can be used in breeding programmes to get animals with the best physiological balance.

What motivates/drives you in your work? What is it about your work that gives you energy?

Mostly new subjects and technologies that can boost collaboration and development. The possibility to use technologies inside and outside WUR. I also really enjoy following courses to stay up to date, and it’s nice to be able to help – young enthusiastic – colleagues with things that I have experience with. Speaking of colleagues, I would also like to mention how much I enjoy working with Agnes de Wit and Elianne van der Valk, two exemplary and highly intelligent colleagues who also deserve to be put ‘in the spotlight’. We do a lot of work together and we really are a good team.

Can you share some information about a project that you are currently working on? Something that you're proud of?

Co-culturing van porcine intestinal organoids in combination with immune cells, to come closer to the real intestinal in the lab. It’s really beautiful to see how we can create and culture mini organs and being able to use them in experiments.

On a more personal note, what are your hobbies? How do you like to spend your free time?

I like working on our farmhouse and the surrounding garden; it’s beautiful to see nature thrive in the garden, especially in the spring and summer. I also like working with wood in different ways, for example woodturning (a form of woodworking where hand-held tools are used on a wood lathe to turn a piece of wood into an object, ed.). I also like to go out with the motorhome to relax, eat and drink, cycle and walk on beautiful locations in the Netherlands and Europe.

Final question, who would you like to nominate for the next interview in this series, and why?

I would like to nominate one of the colleagues with a twin! We have several in the department, and it’s always been something special to me, given that both my parents are twins and I also have two brothers who are twins. Twin calves were also very popular in animal breeding. Hence, I nominate Pascal Duenk, a young sympathetic person who works as a lecturer and researcher at ABG.